"Within a few years, Defence aims to have fewer suppliers of ICT
services. However, those suppliers who are selected as key
strategic partners will have increased responsibility and the
opportunity to contribute directly to Defence's business outcomes.
I encourage the ICT industry to actively participate in these
Defence initiatives," said Dr Mike Kelly, parliamentary secretary for
Defence Support, in a statement.

The invitation covers a number of distributed computing and
terrestrial communications contracts, including the $200 million
central ICT infrastructure contract currently serviced by Fujitsu's Kaz Group. The government has
already approached industry for feedback on how it might
be able to source alternative services to those provided by its $200 million
Kaz contract.

"While periodic testing of the market is routine, on this
occasion Defence aims to take a major step towards achieving its
longer-term strategic ICT sourcing objectives; including further
rationalising suppliers and lower[ing] costs," Kelly said.

The invitation to tender will be published on AusTender and
new contracts are expected to be signed starting in mid-2010.